Issue link: http://trailridermagazine.uberflip.com/i/1545994
Now feeling fuel confident, the tank got topped off and my ride resumed. It was quite different than the pre-lunch track. Gravel roads, jeep roads, Class 6, and quad tracks were the post-lunch blend. Not too many miles a er gas, the hand cramps were ge ng mean. May have had something to do with the pint of cold Gatorade I chugged at the gas stop. A er a deep, internal conversa- on, and realizing that there is plenty of daylight le and the weather is beau ful…..The smartest thing I could do is to stop and take a break. I may be known for a number of things, but doing the smartest thing is not at the top of that list. This instance was an excep on. Took a break near the bo om of a long grassy uphill field where there was a wheelie request sign. I was in no condi on to oblige, but I figured I could get a good picture. While a emp ng to take a good picture of the sign, the young ar sts responsible for the sign came out and agreed to pose with it. They had been watching for wheelies all day and had seen some pre y good ones. Meanwhile, I was eye- balling the small pond not 200 feet away and was ready to jump in un l I took a close look. Yee- aaaah….I wasn't THAT hot. The remaining 35 miles were rela vely gentle by morning standards with wandering class 6 roads through New Ipswich, Sharon, and Jaffrey in New Hampshire. Although all previous hero sec ons had been ridden, I only did a small por on of the a er-lunch hero sec on. It appeared to go up and down a steep rocky hillside mul ple mes. The first downhill was challenging, but doable. But the uphill that followed took most of what I had le in my tank. Not the bike's tank. My tank. I was able to bushwhack my way out to the exit in short order and decided there would be no more of that for me today. Thus commenced miles of fun cruising trails and roads. Every so o en there would be a sign that said, "Go Animals!!" or "Free watermelon and cold drinks for riders". Makes a guy feel loved, I tell ya! Pre y sure it was near our exit from Anne e State Forest that an en re family was by the side of the road in the middle of nowhere, waving flags and ringing cowbells as I drove by. What a hoot! By the me I got back, the parking lot was more than half empty, and the crew was well into the post-ride wrap-up whilst si ng in the shade of the tallest trailer around. All agreed the inaugural Wapack Run was a corker!